Rafael Nadal insists he can still compete with the best in the world for “many years to come” after opening his tennis academy alongside Roger Federer in Mallorca yesterday.
 Nadal and Federer have slipped down the world rankings this season due to a lack of form and fitness respectively.
However, the 30-year-old Spaniard insists two of the most successful players in the history of the sport can make it back to the top.
 “Roger and I haven’t forgotten how to play tennis and we are working to get back to competing at the highest level,” said Nadal.
 Federer won’t play again this year due to ongoing rehabilitation on a knee injury, whilst Nadal refused to confirm if he intends to play again in 2016.
 The 14-time Grand Slam champion suffered a shock second-round defeat to Victor Troicki at the Shanghai Masters last week. Yet, at sixth in the world rankings, Nadal is still well-placed to qualify for the end of season ATP Tour Finals. “Sometimes continuing to play is not the solution. Sometimes the solution is to stop and restart a training programme,” he added.
However, Nadal also hinted he could return at the Swiss Indoor tournament in Basel next week.
 The stunning academy complex in Nadal’s home city of Manacor in the Balearic Island boasts 26 clay courts, as well as a fitness centre, two swimming pools and 10 paddle tennis courts.
 “I still have many years to come in tennis, but there is a future and this academy is part of that future,” said Nadal. “We were very excited to create something so special and even more so in Manacor, it is a dream come true. We hope the kids enjoy it as much as possible. We want this facility to be a success at the professional level for them, but also on a human level.”
Federer, who flew in from Switzerland to celebrate the occasion with his longtime rival, was so impressed with the academy that he hinted that he might soon need some tennis instructional services for his four children.
“I will send my kids here if they want to play tennis,” said the Swiss ace, a 17-time Grand Slam winner who is likely to return to the tour in January after ending his season after Wimbledon to let a knee injury heal.
Federer added that with his current — but fast improving — knee situation, he understood the problems that nine-time Roland Garros champion Nadal has suffered with knees and wrists throughout his career.
“Now I know what they mean by a major injury,” said the 35-year-old, whose career up until this season was remarkably injury-free.
“I wish you good health now that I know what an injury means,” he told Nadal. “This is my first major injury problem.
“I have to say it’s been quite easy for me, I have spent a lot of time with the family. I’m training calmly but I don’t know how it will be when I return.”
The Swiss champion called Nadal “an inspiration” due to how easily he had been able to make comebacks and return to the elite.
“That’s something I’m hoping when I return in January (for the Hopman Cup in Perth),” he said.